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On the Right Course
Darryl Forte, a P.E. teacher at Burrville Elementary, leads his students.
(By Marvin Joseph -- The Washington Post)
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"We're on a new path," said Barbara Rockwood, D.C. public schools director of health and physical education. "We're getting ready to do some awesome stuff. We are trying to equip our teachers with new and exciting things, things that are nontraditional and head our kids toward lifelong sports."
Forte was one of lucky ones chosen. Because he likes to try new things with his classes, Forte was eager to participate in the program even though he is not an avid golfer himself. He has been to the driving range a couple times, but never on a course.
"Certain things I knew already, like how to hold the golf club," Forte said. "But the actual playing, I don't have that experience. But it was easy enough that I could relay it to my kids. They start with the basics. [The kids] picked it up pretty well."
The First Tee National School Program makes it possible for P.E. teachers -- no matter the level of their golf knowledge -- to teach the sport. Forte went through a training session and was given a complete set of lesson plans along with pictures to show his students. His second-graders proved to be quick and willing learners. Although most of the boys and girls in his class had not picked up a golf club before, they demonstrated remarkable skill after just one class. Nicholas Allen, 8, hit the center of the target five times.
Reminders of safety and appropriate behavior were everywhere in the gym. Signs reading "Take Turns. Club on the Ground. Meet the Target" stood prominently at each station. At the end of class, Forte reinforced earlier lessons by quizzing his students on the First Tee's nine core values.
"I learned how to share with a partner," said Darrielle Davis, 8, who hit the bull's-eye three times.
The First Tee National School Program costs about $5 per student. First Tee D.C. has committed $105,000 to the program over the next four years; $50,000 of that will be underwritten by Southern Company, an Atlanta-based power company.
No one expects this program to develop the next Tiger Woods or Annika Sorenstam, especially because it meets only once a week for four weeks. Rather, it gives kids a taste of golf and whets their appetite for the sport. Then if they find they enjoy it, First Tee can provide them with additional instruction.
"At the end of the four-week session, the kids are given an opportunity," First Tee Executive Director Scott Allen said. "If you are digging this, if you like this, here's information on the First Tee programs at Langston and East Potomac."
